Undergraduate Teaching Experience for Post Doctoral Fellows

The Cancer Teaching Fellows Program provides an opportunity for FHCRC post doctoral fellows to gain mentored undergraduate teaching experience at NMSU. Working with a highly-regarded professor at NMSU, Cancer Teaching Fellows will enhance their skills as undergraduate educators by completing preparatory assignments and executing an effective lecture series in a diverse undergraduate biology class at NMSU.

About the Cancer Teaching Fellows Program

Cancer Teaching Fellows will complete a two-week residency at NMSU that is designed to: 1) provide mentored teaching experience and diversity training to FHCRC post-doctoral fellows; and 2) enhance the cancer education curriculum at NMSU. In preparation for this experience, the Cancer Teaching Fellows will complete between three and five pre-residency assignments that will take an estimated 20 hours of time over the course of four to six weeks. During residency, the Fellows will observe undergraduate biology lectuers, develop their own interactive lectures including assessment activities, and practice teach their lectures to Dr. Michèle Shuster. During the second week of the residency, the Fellows will teach in one of Dr. Shuster's undergraduate courses (e.g. Introductory Biology or Introduction to Cancer). Dr. Shuster will attend all lectures given by the Cancer Teaching Fellows and provide feedback.

Fellows will also have opportunities to meet informally with NMSU students to let the know about some of the research opportunities available through the FHCRC/NMSU partnership, including the summer intern programs offered to NMSU undergraduate, MPH, and Ph.D. students. Cancer Teaching Fellows will also have the opportunity to meet with several NMSU faculty members (associated with the FHCRC/NMSU partnership) to discuss the balancing of research, teaching, and service in academic positions.

In an effort to showcase some of the challenges and opportunities of teaching at a primarily undergraduate, minority-serving institution, Fellows may also be invited to participate in activities specific to those of a faculty member. The activities offered during residency can be tailored somewhat to accomodate the interests and desired learning and experience outcomes of the individual Fellow.

The program's start and end dates are flexible and will be negotiated between the Fellows and Drs. Michèle Shuster and Karen Peterson; however participation in the two-week residency must take place between September 10th through November 30th, 2015.

Mentorship

Dr. Shuster will serve as the primary mentor for the Cancer Teaching Fellows. She is a tenure-track associate professor in the Biology department at NMSU, with extensive undergraduate teaching experience. Dr. Shuster is a recipient of the Donald C. Roush and Westhafer Awards for Excellence in Teaching at NMSU.

Dr. Peterson will serve as an informational and teaching resource prior to the Fellows' two-week residency at NMSU. Upon the Fellows' return, she will provide information about opportunities for additional teaching experiences at the FHCRC, NMSU, and local and/or regional undergraduate universities. In addition, she will offer counsel to Fellows seeking guidance about their career path, as well as mentorship during the job search process.

Compensation, Travel, and Housing

Cancer Teaching Fellows will receive a $1,000 honorarium, as well as the local per diem for food and housing in Las Cruces. The program will also cover the cost of airfare from Seattle to El Paso and back. Fellows are responsible for securing their airfare, housing, and local transportation for the duration of two-week residency (if desired); rental cars are available at the El Paso International Airport. The program managers, Helena Loest and/or Jennifer Anderson, will advise on making the travel arrangements. *Housing options near the NMSU campus include:

*All hotel rates are approximate; accepted Fellows should confirm rates before making a reservation.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be a post-doctoral fellow at the FHCRC to be eligible to participate in the Cancer Teaching Fellows Program, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applicants will be selected based on their interest in teaching, as evidenced by participating in teaching at the FHCRC or other institutions.

How to Apply

If you are interested in participating in the Cancer Teaching Fellows program, please complete and submit an application. Completed applications are due on Friday, May 8, 2015. Notification of acceptance will occur by the first week of June.